OCTOBER 1989 y Maine Legacy The Nature Conservancy

Rachel Carson Refuge expanded Conservancy buys $2.7 million property Mark

McCallum

he Maine Chapter of The Nature funds would soon be appropriated to station, store, office park, inn and Conservancy has purchased 315 meet the $2.7 million price. conference center. After the Conser­ Tacres of waterfront property in Saco as By August 9, the date the Conser­ vancy placed the land under option, a proposed addition to the Rachel vancy’s option was due to expire, fed­ zoning changes and a new sewer line at Carson National Wildlife Refuge. eral funding was still in doubt. Never­ the land’s border made the property The parcel, known as Ocean Wood theless, the Maine Chapter’s Board of even more valuable for development. Estates, is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Trustees voted to exercise the option Nevertheless, the 14 co-owners coop­ Service’s top acquisition priority for rather than risk losing the property to erated to help protect the parcel. the Rachel Carson Refuge. Earlier this development. 'T’ve lived here all my life, and I was year, at the request of the Service, the The acreage is part of a 475-acre greatly concerned to try to preserve Conservancy negotiated an option to parcel which, as recently as 1986, had open space,” said Mark McCallum, purchase the property. In doing so, we been planned as a community of almost took the calculated risk that federal 900 dwelling units plus a school, fir 'MAINE STATE LIBRARY1 ge two NOV 17 1989 Rachel Carson Refuge expanded from page one President of Ocean Wood Associates and one of the owners. Among the current residents who will continue to enjoy the pines, hard­ woods and 44 acres of marsh that cover the property are scores of animal species and thousands of migratory shore birds. Blanding’s turtle (Emydoi- dea blandingii), listed as endangered in Maine, inhabits the freshwater marsh area. The tract, located along Goosefare Brook, is the largest undeveloped parcel currently available for addition to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Ref­ uge. The refuge consists of nine divi­ sions spaced at intervals along 45 miles of the southern Maine coastline from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth.

Ocean Wood Estates Late news As this issue went to press, "Oceanography in the Gulf of Maine,” the House and Senate Interior Rachel Carson Memorial Pesticide Use over the Past Century,” Appropriations Conference Conference and "Women in Science.” Committee had just approved The Maine Chapter of The Nature Rachel Carson’s books, including $2.4 million for land acquisition Conservancy joined the Boothbay Silent Spring, helped awaken the public at the Rachel Carson National Region Land Trust in the Rachel Carson to the importance of ecology. She was a Wildlife Refuge. The appropri­ Memorial Conference on September founder and honorary chairman of the ation will cover most, but not 20 and 21, 1989 at the Newagen Maine chapter of The Nature Conser­ all, of the Conservancy’s costs Seaside Inn in Southport. The confer­ vancy. Through her estate she provided in buying Ocean Woods Estates. ence, coordinated by Jennifer Logan of a generous bequest to the chapter for In addition to purchase and Boothbay Harbor, marked a quarter­ the purpose of providing stewardship transaction expenses, the Con­ century since the naturalist’s death. to its coastal and island preserves. In servancy will incur interest on Barbara St. John Vickery, the chap­ her honor, all Conservancy preserves funds borrowed to complete the ter’s Director of Science and Steward­ in Maine bordering salt water (including purchase and to hold the prop­ ship, was one of four speakers on a 45 islands) are referred to collectively erty until the U.S. Fish and panel, "The Conservation Movement as the Rachel Carson Seacoast Preserve Wildlife Service can acquire the in Maine.” Other panels discussed System. balance. Depending on interest rates and the timing of federal purchases, it is anticipated that the Conservancy will still have to recover well in excess of $200,000. It is expected that the Conser­ vancy will sell most of the Ocean Wood Estates acreage to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser­ vice this winter, retaining the balance in hopes that additional federal funding will be appro­ priated next year. Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve

2—Maine Legacy, October 1989 the director's corner by J. Mason Morfit

ext month, you will receive the much more effectively and efficiently which you, the members, didn’t have NMaine Chapter’s Annual Appeal. than if each chapter had to provide to pay a dime. Last month, you received an annualthose services for itself. In addition, No, it wasn’t done with smoke and appeal from the Conservancy’s national the national annual appeal supports mirrors! Six of the properties involved, office. What’s going on here? four regional offices which provide worth over $1 million, were gifts from It has been a longstanding Conser­ the expertise of senior staff specialists generous landowners. Five others, vancy policy to decentralize our fund in science, land acquisition, steward­ worth approximately $5 million, were raising to the greatest degree possible. ship and other fields to individual state purchases on behalf of state and federal Each unit of the organization is respon­ chapters, including ours. conservation agencies for which we sible for raising most of its own operat­ While we couldn’t do our job with­ will ultimately be reimbursed... we ing budget, and funds are raised sep­ out the help of the national and regional hope! arately for land acquisition projects or offices, they couldn’t do the Conser­ other programs. Membership dues are vancy’s work in Maine without a strong While you, the members, weren’t split equally between local chapters state chapter. And, as the Maine Chap­ asked to contribute directly to the pur­ and the national organization. ter’s Annual Appeal accounts for al­ chase of those properties, they didn’t Internally, this policy means that we most 25 per cent of our operating protect themselves. In virtually every run a tight ship; as most of the people budget, it’s clearly essential to our case, the Maine Chapter incurred sig­ who spend money also have to raise it, ability to get the job done. nificant costs for biological assessment, costs are watched closely. All contributions to the Maine Chap­ negotiations (frequently prolonged and Externally, this policy provides do­ ter Annual Appeal are used directly difficult), surveys, title work, legal nors with the opportunity to determine and entirely in Maine. And, while fees, etc. The return on investment is which specific aspects of the Conser­ some people prefer to give directly to terrific, but making these projects hap­ vancy’s complex overall mission they land acquisition projects, gifts to our pen still requires a lot of cash. wish to support financially. It also operations budget represent a 'best The ancient Greek mathematician, means you get a lot of mail. buy’ opportunity. inventor (and closet conservationist) We encourage Maine Chapter mem­ Consider this: if we manage to nego­ Archimedes, once said, "Give me a bers to support the national organiza­ tiate the purchase of a piece of property lever long enough...and single-handed tion’s annual appeal. Many functions for half its appraised value, donors to I can move the world.” We can provide essential to the good management of that project get leverage of 1 to 1, or the leverage, but we need your hands- any organization (e.g., finance, account­ double their money. Not bad! But on help to move a little more of the ing, auditing, data processing, person­ during the 1988-89 fiscal year, the earth into protected status. Please re­ nel, legal, training, etc.) are performed Maine Chapter protected approximate­ spond as generously as you can to the for the chapters by the national office, ly $6 million worth of property for Maine Chapter Annual Appeal.

Wilbur Neck on Cobscook Bay in Pem­ broke. In cooperation with the Maine De­ partment of Inland Fisheries and Wild­ life, the Conservancy has completed the purchase of a 230-acre tract here that includes a bald eagle nesting site as well as prime water fowl and upland habitat. (See "Two Cobscook Bay parcels tar­ Jim

geted” in the June, 1989, issue of Maine Dow Legacy.)

October 1989, Maine Legacy—3 Stewardship

Never a dull moment a car was abandoned on an old woods Please be patient road at another preserve. The Maine Chapter Stewardship pro­ • Peat-mining machinery was moved For all of you who have generously gram now tracks over 400 volunteers into place on a peatland abutting a offered to volunteer your time to the on a computerized database. These Conservancy preserve; Chapter since the beginning of the year people donate their services in a variety But, fortunately, sometimes the news (at last count we had received approx­ of ways essential to the smooth function­ is good: imately 25 new volunteer forms), please ing of the stewardship program; they • A new rare plant species was found don’t give up on us. We have finally act as preserve and easement monitors, on a property protected by the Conser­ developed a computerized system to serve on local preserve stewardship vancy—within inches of off-road track all of our volunteers, which committees, lead field trips, monitor vehicle tracks; should help us make the best use of rare plant populations, and join in • A bald eagle re-established a nest on you who are willing and able to lend a preserve workdays. Chapter staff are an island preserve known to be a hand. the first to say, "Couldn’t do it without historic eagle nest site; them.” • An important inholding providing While we will do our best to match In particular, we rely on those volun­ valuable buffer to a preserve came up up people with the right project, it can teers who live nearby, or who regularly for sale. be difficult to find something for every­ visit our preserves, to keep us informed So don’t think we don’t need you! one, especially if a would-be volunteer of what’s up on our properties. There We not only need you, we depend on does not live near our Topsham office is really no way that our stewardship you; we hope you will pick up that or one of our preserves. And while the staff alone could monitor every one of phone and give us a call if you think Chapter does benefit from the assist­ our 79 preserves and 26 easements. that there is something we should ance of volunteers, we must balance We thought you might be interested know about. —Julie Henderson this gain with the amount of staff time to hear a few examples of events that spent on training and supervision. have taken place on Conservancy prop­ And thanks! erty during the past year. In nearly all of these cases it was our volunteer stew­ To those at Damariscove island who So if you haven’t heard from us, be ards who brought these events, whether substituted for our regular caretakers, assured that you are on our list. We tragic, dismaying or delightful, to our a heartfelt thanks: appreciate your offer to help out, and attention. Dick Hammond and Robin Hollis, will call you as soon as a need becomes Boothbay apparent. If you are really anxious to Would you believe... Peter Frewen and Margaret Rice, volunteer, give us a call and remind us! • A four-seater Sierra airplane crashed Auburn on a 45-acre preserve in Woolwich; Jon Luoma, Aina • Two inmates from a local prison Tom and Florence Shoener, Litchfield work crew escaped while clearing brush on a Conservancy preserve downeast; • A dozen men in camouflage laden with military gear set up camp on a popular island preserve; • Two unauthorized trails were blazed and painted through a pristine forested preserve, and another marked to a rare plant location in a fragile bog. • A helicopter landed on a sea-bird nesting island; the U.S. Coast Guard made a midnight raid on another off­ shore island in search of suspected drug traffickers. • The caretaker’s cabin at a highly visited preserve was seriously van­ dalized; • Dumping of potentially toxic mate­ rials occurred at a large preserve har­ boring numerous endangered species; Stewardship staff members Rita Haberman, Julie Henderson and Jeanne Desjardins in the field

4—Maine Legacy, October 1989 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ' Maine Chapter

ANNUAL REPORT 1 9 8 8-8 9

ifts of land from generous donors and cooperative ventures with other agencies 1988-89 Gand organizations were two factors that enabled the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy TRUSTEES to complete protection of seven projects, totaling Officers Sherry F. Huber 634 acres, during the fiscal year ended June 30, Chair, Falmouth 1989. Another four properties, encompassing Peter Corcoran Vice-chair, Seal Harbor over 1,500 acres, were put under option or Carol Wishcamper contract. Together, these 11 sites have an esti­ Vice-chair, Freeport William B. (Tony) mated value of approximately $6 million, but Owens, Jr., M.D. their ecological worth is priceless. Treasurer, Cape Elizabeth Donald F. Mairs The gift lands represent a range of habitats, Secretary, Belgrade from a cedar swamp that is home to many Trustees William W. Alcorn northern or sub-arctic plant species, to an island Biddeford home for bald eagles. Linda Alverson Western Brothers Island Oxbow Among the cooperative projects, two stand Michael W. Aube out because they are part of the first joint effort Down East magazine Environmental Award. In Bangor William D. Blair, Jr. by Maine’s public and private land conservation June, an award from the Environmental Protec­ Vinalhaven organizations to implement a protection strategy tion Agency specifically honored the outstanding George W. Cochrane HI West Southport for important wetlands and waterfowl habitat volunteer services and financial support of the Malcolm Coulter throughout the state. Another, Kennebunk members of the Maine Chapter. East Holden H. King Cummings Plains, is a model of public-private cooperation, Making good use of volunteer energy and (deceased) since it gained the support of many local groups expertise is one of the ways that the Chapter’s Stratton Minnette Cummings and state agencies as the Land for Maine’s Future relatively small stewardship staff is able to Portland program’s first acquisition. maintain efficient supervision of an increasingly Elizabeth Donnan Northeast Harbor Cooperation was also the key word when the large number of preserves, easements and trans­ Louis Hilton Maine Natural Heritage Program, a continuously ferred lands. Because money is also essential, the Greenville Cherie Mason updated inventory of biologically significant success of the $100,000 stewardship fund- Sunset lands developed by the Conservancy over the raising campaign for Damariscove Island was an Charles J. Micoleau Portland past five years, was transferred to state govern­ important achievement. Ralph Robins ment. Recognition of the Conservancy’s contri­ Among the other activities from the past year York Marilyn Moss Rockefeller bution came in the form of a letter of appreciation that have potential future benefit is the time Camden from Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. and a devoted by the Chapter director to serving as Douglas Smith Dover-Foxcroft joint resolution of the Maine Legislature. one of three Maine representatives on the Gover­ David G. Stanley Earlier in the fiscal year, the Maine Chapter nor’s Task Force on Northern Forest Lands. Cumberland Foreside had received recognition from the state in the Another is the increased concern for international Charter Honorary Trustee Edward T. Richardson, Jr. form of a Critical Areas Program Award. The conservation, exemplified by the Chapter’s finan­ South Portland Chapter was also honored to receive the 1989 cial support of a Costa Rican conservation organization and by training provided to the Maine Chapter director of the Conservancy’s partner program The Nature Conservancy in Paraguay. 122 Main Street With increasing pressure from development P.O. Box 338 threatening Maine’s natural areas and rare species, Topsham, Maine 04086 the mission of the Chapter is more urgent and 207-729-5181 challenging than ever before. Using both tradi­ National Office tional and innovative approaches, including co­ The Nature Conservancy operation with other organizations, the Maine 1815 North Lynn Street Chapter’s staff and members will continue to Arlington, Virginia 22209 Preble Island work together to meet the challenges. 703-841-5300 LAND PROTECTION

Kennebunk Plains Western Brothers Island Kennebunk Jonesport Authorized by the Land for Maine’s One of the gems of the downeast Future Board as its first official project, coast, Western Brothers Island is both this well known property protects a a landmark and an important habitat dozen species which are rare, endan­ for seabirds and several rare plants. Put gered, or of special concern in Maine. under contract to the Conservancy in The parcel is currently under contract the spring, the island will be transferred to the Conservancy, with closing ex­ to the Department of Inland Fisheries pected to occur this winter pending a and Wildlife this fall as part of a joint survey of the land. effort to protect key wildlife islands on Dram Island viewed from Preble Island the coast. Wilbur Neck Preble Island Pembroke Sorrento Identified as a top acquisition priority South Lubec Sand Bar Two decades after donating Dram for the North American Waterfowl Lubec Island to the Conservancy, former Management Plan in Maine, this 230- Each year thousands of shorebirds national Board of Governors member acre acquisition on Dennys Bay pro­ descend on the South Lubec Sand Bar Bayard Ewing and his extended family vides outstanding habitat for both to rest and feed during their annual completed the protection of Sorrento waterfowl and bald eagles. The pur­ migration. In addition to being one of Harbor’s entrance with a gift of 75- chase was funded in part by the National the most important shorebird staging acre Preble Island. Located in the midst Fish and Wildlife Federation in coop­ areas in Maine, this mile-long barrier of prime bald eagle habitat in upper eration with the Maine Department of beach also provides valuable access to Frenchman Bay, the island is a historic Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to which rich clam flats. The property was op­ nest site for this endangered raptor. the parcel will later be transferred for tioned by the Conservancy as part of long-term management. its Cobscook Bay initiative; closing is expected in the fall. Seal Cove Tremont A long-time friend of The Nature Conservancy, Lisa Von Borowsky, St. Clair Preserve made a gift of 76 acres in Tremont, Northport completing a series of donations which A gift of 52 acres from a Swiss couple help protect much of Seal Cove. This has enlarged the Conservancy’s St. parcel lies within the boundary of Clair Preserve to over 300 acres in size. Acadia National Park. The preserve now encompasses the northeast slope of Ducktrap Mountain, Hussey Mountain and nearly the entire shoreline of Shapleigh Knight’s Pond, a pristine pond less than A new 265-acre preserve in Shapleigh two miles from Penobscot Bay. Knight’s will protect one of the world’s largest Pond is home to a stand of globally known populations of the small threatened Atlantic white cedar. whorled pogonia, one of the rarest wild orchids in New England. After Taunton Bay discovering the endangered plants, the Hancock Morse Mountain/Seawall Beach Patten Corporation agreed to donate Taunton Bay is one of the richest Phippsburg the property, which had been slated for estuaries along the Maine coast, pro­ The Small Point Association gener­ subdivision. viding habitat for several pairs of bald ously gave The Nature Conservancy eagles and thousands of migratory sea­ and Bates College a management license Perham